Reivers respond with spirited effort

Council Bluffs, IA -- The #22 Iowa Western men responded to only their third set-back of the season with a dominant conference 94-64 victory over Southeastern Wednesday night (1/24/18) at Reiver Arena.

The Reivers once again showed scoring balance and unselfish offensive play against the Blackhawks, who just two weeks ago was ranked #20 in the NJCAA poll and entered the contest with a 18-4 overall record. Iowa Western's scoring balance was displayed by having five Reivers in double figures: Shadeed Shabazz, Jevon Smith, and Isaiah Wade all contributed 15 points each; Shaun Doss added 13 points and Decardo Day chipped in 10. It was Day who symbolized the unselfish play, the 6'4 guard dished out a season high eight assists. Remarkably the Reivers shared 22 assists on it's 30 field goals made, while turning the ball over just seven times the entire evening.

However, this game was determined on the defensive end of the floor.  Everywhere the Blackhawks turned there was a Reiver finding them.  Iowa Western held Southeastern to 29 points at the half and let up little in the second, ultimately ballooning the margin to a 39 point Reiver lead with 2:19 left in the contest. Iowa Western outrebounded Southeastern by 16 boards and only allowed 6 offensive rebounds off the Blackhawks 39 missed attempts. Wade collected another double-double, his 11th of the season, with 12 rebounds to go with his aforementioned 15 points. Adalberto Diaz and Tony Chukwuemeke also pulled down seven rebounds apiece. The Reivers defense would hold Southeastern to 38% shooting from the floor and just 8% from behind the three point arch by games end.

The win keeps the Reivers (19-3) tied atop the ICCAC Conference standings with #2 Indian Hills (22-0) at 3-0 in conference play. Both NJCAA top 25 teams match-up this Saturday evening (1/27/18) in Ottumwa, IA with a gametime slated for 7:00pm.